Day 48 Jackson, MT to Darby, MT

Yorktown, VA to Darby, MT Miles Ridden 3,212

Biking Detail Jackson, MT to Darby, MT

Day 48 Sunday, June 28

Left Jackson at 6:30. Smooth sailing. Cold, but no wind and no cars on the road. Road and shoulder not in greatest condition so lack of traffic allowed me to pick the best part of the road to ride on. Stopped in Wisdom for breakfast, 18 miles in. Averaged 16.2 MPH first hour to Wisdom. Nice when you don't have the wind in your face and no traffic. Passed four cars in first hour and all but one going opposite direction. 

At 28.5 miles Margie stopped at the Big Hole Battlefield entrance to give me a water break. After that stop the road takes a dip then begins the climb to Chief Joseph Pass. Very scenic ride up reminding me of parts of Washington State with winding highway, following a small river up to it's source, lots of pine tree covered hillsides and blue sky. 

As we headed up Chief Joseph Pass (7,241 ft) traffic picked up some but still not bad. No rideable shoulder. Did not take the Gibbons Pass Alternate. Didn't want to subject my bike, and me, to the dirt road. Got to the top of pass, took the photo op then headed down. Road is posted as 6% downgrade for 7 mies. What a great ride down staying at about 40 MPH except to brake for couple of the posted 25 MPH hairpin turns. Pass would be much tougher going W to E as this was a very long steep decent! Fun!  

Road actually continues down at a smaller 1%-2% grade for another 31 miles. Except for a little headwind and the increasing heat, it made for a nice run. Stopped 13 miles down in Sula at the Country Store for an ice cream break. Great little campground resort with both camping and cabins. Would have been a great place to overnight...but three passes yesterday would never have worked!!! 

Finished the last 18 miles and got to Darby at 1:45, earlier than expected. Beautiful ride through the canyon along the Bitterroot River. Checked into our motel then tried some local brew at the Bandit Brewery, a tasting brewery in Darby. Best local beer of the trip! One of best burgers of the trip at Naps Grill in Hamilton!

Poor wifii today so will update pictures from Missoula tomorrow.

Beautiful Montana

Wisdom, MT Stopped for Breakfast

Zooming along

This is Big Hole Country

The climb to Chief Joseph Pass Begins Here

One of several water breaks, thanks Margie

Really pretty ride up to the pass

Nearing the summit

Made it, looking forward to the ride down

Great spot to stop for a break on the way to Darby...Sula

The Bitterroot River great for fishing or tubing

Thumbs up for Bandit Brewing in Darby

Is this the biggest burger you ever saw...Naps in Hamilton